Hotel Project

Hotel Project - Page Text Content

1: What shows others who you are? | There are many things that show others who we are. There's personality, how we look like, how we dress, and so much more. But what's also very important is where you originated.

2: Henry's Favorite tree: "It's an Ume tree..." (pg.82). "The flower was also my own father's favorite... It's a symbol of perseverance. In the face of adversity - a revolutionist symbol." (pg. 83)

3: Explanation: Hou noi mou gin! We think that this Ume tree represents how Henry is always preserving things and never letting go of them. For example, Henry found the record at the Panama Hotel but even though it was broken, he still held on to it because of its sentimental value. He even tried to fix it. We think this action shows the readers that Henry is a person that holds on to things no matter how broken up or destroyed it is. As long as it has a meaning to him and it's important, he will do anything to preserve it.

4: White Devil: "It meant "white devil" - a term usually reserved for Caucasians and then only if they really deserved the verbal abuse." (p 13) | White Devil

5: Explanation: They are calling Henry this since he goes to an all white school. We think this shows that the Asian kids don't know the Caucasian kids well, so they didn't treat them the same. We believe that the kids that go to the Chinese school call Henry "White Devil" because he's attending Rainier Elementary with all the pretentious Caucasian kids, so they just grouped him in there with them.

6: Pictures and Memories: "I burned all my old photos last night... I burned all my wedding photos." (pg.74) "Letters from Nippon. Clothing. It all must go... Even old photos. People are burning photos of their parents, of their families." (pg.74)

7: Explanation: We chose this quote because with photos and clothing; it all preserves some type of memory. "It really moved me when he told Henry when he even had to burn his own wedding photos. I can't even imagine what that must have felt like watching everything that ever happened to you burn away." In this particular case, they burned their clothing and photos, all of which they are precious. The quote, "A picture is worth a thousand words," really applies to this because their photos show their identity and who they are in life. "I've been starting to notice that this book is also kind of just like a big diary of Henry's It's recording all of his precious treasured memories."

8: Keiko: "Instead they looked at each other in mock nonchalance, each feeling a little bit older, striding across the street with ten-ounce bottles of liquor swinging at their sides." (pg.53)

9: Explanation: Konichiwa; Oai deki te ureshii desu! Usually when a person sees a girl, they would typically think that they are innocent and nice; someone that doesn't do bad things. Keiko, however, is the complete opposite. We "really like Keiko's character because she seems so bubbly and brave. She's up for anything and she didn't mind going to the store to get the alcohol for Oscar." This shows the reader that even though she isn't fully accepted in her society because of her ethnic background, she tries to be strong and make the best out of what she has. It also shows that she doesn't let anything interfere or scare her.

10: Chaz: "'Henry's one of the smartest kids in class. He can translate anything. Japanese too, I bet.'" (pg.87)

11: Explanation: We think that because Chaz grew up in an American society during WWII, all Asians must be Japanese. He treats Henry the same as the rest of the Japanese regardless of the fact that he's Chinese just because he hangs out with Keiko in Nihomachi and they're both Asian. This shows that Chaz is rather shallow and racist, but only because he thinks that all Asians are alike.